Fathom the Bowl

Song Information

Composer: Traditional

Lyric Author: Traditional

Published: Mid-19th Century

Country of origin: England

General Interest

From Wikipedia:

The ingredients of punch include expensive spirits, too expensive for ordinary people. This has led to the suggestion that the song would be sung by smugglers. This might place it in the late eighteenth century or early nineteenth century.

It might also explain the dead man at the bottom of the sea. On the other hand, it might be a song sung by wealthy middle-class young gentlemen or military officers, which gradually made its way down the social ladder.

The use of the word "fathom" is the lesser used verb form, to measure the depth of something. This would rarely be used by non-sailors, which may also be taken to imply something about the lyricist.

Here's a link to the Lyric:

Fathom the Bowl Lyric

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